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Measuring Broadband Progress: A Quality of Life Approach
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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What is Broadband?
 High speed Internet that relies on
advanced technologies such as DSL,
cable modem, fiber optic, satellite,
and wireless (FCC, 2009; NTIA, 2010)
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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Personal Narrative: Anthony
 “I am 54, am disabled due to diabetes, live in subsidized
housing, and receive free Internet. I used my Internet
connection to handle my social security application and
follow up which was extensive. I use the Internet to retrain with the goal of employment that can
accommodate the diabetic neuropathy in my feet, arms
and legs. I use the Internet to reserve educational
resources and entertainment (DVD, CDs) from the Seattle
Public Library. I use the Internet to research information
about my health condition and the medicines I am
prescribed. I use the Internet to shop for bargains. My
life is significantly enhanced due to access to the
internet.”
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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Policy Narrative:
National Broadband Plans
 Shifting an emphasis from building infrastructure to
promoting broadband use and anticipating
transformational benefits of broadband
Japan
• Japan should become a digital society in which digital technologies
are universally accepted
• Focus on a citizen-driven digital society in three areas:
e-government, healthcare, and education and human resources
Sweden
• Focus on developing world-class broadband
• Highlight that high usage of IT and the Internet is important to
growth, competitiveness, innovation, and the development of a
sustainable society
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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State of Knowledge:
Academic and Policy Literatures
 Simple measures of Internet use:
 Amount of time use (Kraut et al., 1998, 2002)
 Frequency of use (Jackson et al., 2004; Kraut et al., 2002)
 Extent of use (Kraut et al., 1998)
 Type of activities (Howard et al., 2001; Wellman et al.,
2001)
 Broadband progress:
 Infrastructure quality, availability, and affordability
(Akamai, OECD)
 Access (OECD)
 Basic usage activities (Eurostat, Pew Internet)
 Composite indexes (connectivity scorecard, networked
readiness index, ICT development index)
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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Quality of Life:
Definition and Measurements
 Quality of life, Happiness, Well-being, Subjective
Well-being (Diener, 1984; Sirgy, 2002; Stiglitz et al.,
2009)
 Two related but separate aspects of a person’s life:
 Life satisfaction: Overall evaluation about his or her
life at a particular point in time
 Hedonic experience: Feelings that include the
presence of positive feelings/affect such as joy or
the presence of negative feelings/affect such as
sadness, depression or anger
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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Broadband Use and Quality of Life Model
General measures
Broadband
use
Individual and
situational
characteristics
Quality
of Life
Experiential measures
Satisfaction
from
broadband use
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Domain-specific
QOL
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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Cross-Sectional Study of Computer and
Internet Use and Impacts on Quality of Life
Individual and situational
characteristics
Gender
Age
Education
Income
Experiential measures
Satisfaction
from
broadband use
Domain-specific
quality of life
Quality
of Life
Years of
computer
experience
Computer
use
(min. per day)
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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Patterns of Computer and Internet Use
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Five key motivations:
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Researching
Relationship building
Knowledge sharing
Leisure and entertainment
Self-actualization
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Top five activities with highest satisfaction are from the work and
education life domains
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Many participants never engage in activities in the consumer, social,
and finance life domains
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Younger, higher educated users had statistically higher satisfaction
from use
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Individuals with lower income, individuals who use computer more
have statistically higher satisfaction from use in some life domains
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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Consequences of Computer and Internet Use
on Quality of Life
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn
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Questions or Comments?
CPRSouth6 Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, December 9-10, 2011
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Angsana A. Techatassanasoontorn